Hamlet is a name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse words "hám" meaning "sea" and "léttr" meaning "letter". The name was borne by several historical figures in Denmark, including Hamlet IV, who ruled in the late 10th century.
The most famous bearer of the name is undoubtedly Prince Hamlet, the protagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet," first performed around 1600. In this play, Hamlet seeks revenge for his father's murder by his uncle Claudius and ultimately fulfills this quest in a dramatic conclusion. The character of Hamlet is renowned for his soliloquies, including the famous "To be or not to be" speech, which reflect his profound introspection and struggle with existential questions.
The name Hamlet has been popular throughout history and continues to be used today, particularly in Scandinavian countries and beyond. It is a strong and distinctive name that carries a rich literary and historical legacy.
The name Hamlet has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. While it was relatively uncommon during the early to mid-20th century, with only occasional years seeing more than five births per year, it began to gain traction in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
From 1987 onwards, there were consistently more than five births per year, indicating a growing preference for the name. The years 2002 to 2004 saw a notable peak, with nine births each year, suggesting that Hamlet was particularly popular during this period.
However, after 2005, the number of births began to decline again, although it remained consistently above five per year until 2012. From 2013 onwards, there has been another resurgence in popularity, with a significant increase in births from 2018 to 2019, reaching an all-time high of eleven births.
Overall, over the past century, there have been a total of 240 births registered as Hamlet in the United States. This demonstrates that while Hamlet may not be one of the most popular names in terms of sheer numbers, it has maintained a steady presence and has seen periods of increased popularity throughout history.